System for real-time tracking of fluid consumption by a user

ABSTRACT

A system for tracking fluid consumption of a user from a fluid container in real-time includes a cap connected to the fluid container, the cap including a micro-electro-mechanical system to detect motion and orientation of the cap in relation to the fluid container, a first transducer to transmit sound waves toward the fluid stored within the container, a second transducer to receive the echo of the sound waves, a computing device to generate data pertaining to the fluid consumption of the user based on information from the micro-electro-mechanical system and the transducers, and a communication system to transmit the fluid consumption data to a cloud computer via a network to permit at least one party of interest to have access to the fluid consumption data.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to fluid consumption tracking systems. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a system for tracking the fluid consumption of a user and providing alerts, notifications and/or detail reports pertaining to the user's fluid consumption to parties of interest such as care-givers, nurses, doctors, pharmacists and family members.

Individuals must consume adequate levels of fluid daily to maintain their health and well-being. Research has shown that the lack of adequate fluid consumption by individuals may adversely affect their health and may lead to a variety of health complications. This is especially a concern for elderly individuals and patients at healthcare facilities. Intensive care facilities take special care to monitor and track fluid intake by their patients. However, this is difficult to monitor for patients living outside of intensive care facilities and care givers often have to rely on a patient's word or memory of whether adequate levels of fluid have been consumed. The reality is most elderly patients cannot remember or are unwilling to follow the fluid consumption guidelines recommended by care givers or healthcare personnel.

There exists several hydration monitoring systems such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,959, which discloses a liquid flow meter comprising an impeller assembly used to determine the rate of fluid consumption by a user. However, these systems are limited because they do not account for potential measurement errors due to, for example, the loss of fluid from a container that is dropped or knocked over. Further, these systems provide fluid consumption data only to the user of the device and not to other parties who have an interest in tracking the user's fluid consumption.

As such, there is a need in the industry for a system that accurately tracks the fluid consumption of a user from a container. There is a further need in the industry for a system that provides the fluid consumption data of the user to parties of interest such as care-givers, nurses, doctors, pharmacists and family members.

SUMMARY

A system for tracking fluid consumption of a user from a fluid container in real-time is provided. The system is configured to generate and transmit data pertaining to the fluid consumption to a network so the data will be readily accessible to at least one party of interest. The system comprises a cap configured to be operably connected to the fluid container, the cap comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system configured to detect motion and orientation of the cap in relation to the fluid container, a first transducer configured to transmit sound waves toward the fluid stored within the container, a second transducer configured to receive the echo of the sound waves, a computing device configured to generate the data pertaining to the fluid consumption of the user based on information from the micro-electro-mechanical system and the transducers, and a communication system configured to transmit the fluid consumption data to a cloud computer via the network to permit the at least one party of interest to have ready access to the fluid consumption data through the cloud computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the cap in use with the bottle;

FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the cap.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of several components of the system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a system-level network diagram of certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

As depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fluid consumption tracking system comprises cap 102 that is used with bottle 100, which can store any fluid for consumptions by a user. Bottle 100 comprises tag 101 to identify the fluid to be stored and unique identification code 109 associated with the bottle. Bottle 100 is preferably transparent to allow a user to easily visualize the level of fluid within the bottle. Cap 102 comprises aperture 103, circular ring 104, center cap region 105 and sensor 106. When cap 102 is secured to bottle 100, the user may consume fluid stored in the bottle through aperture 103. Cap 102 may be secured to bottle 100 by any fastening means known in the field such as by threaded screw components, hinges, or the like. Bottle 100 and cap 102 are made from durable plastic or similar type materials known in the field and are manufactured using known techniques such as injection molding. Sensor 106 of cap 102 transmits signals to a printed circuit board (not shown) embedded within cap 102.

As depicted in FIG. 2, embedded printed circuit board 200 comprises memory unit 202, Analog Front End (“AFE”) unit 203, microprocessor 205, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) 206, radio frequency system (“RF”) 207, transmit transducer (speaker) 208, receive transducer (microphone) 204 and light emitting diode 209, which is visible on the outer portion of cap 102. Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems 206 is a technology that in its most general form can be defined as miniaturized mechanical and electro-mechanical elements (i.e., devices and structures) that are made using the techniques of microfabrication used for making transistors that create all electronic logic gates. These devices are able to detect motion of cap 102 in all three 3 axes (X, Y, and Z) with great precision. RF system 207 comprises any components known in the field that allow cap 102 to transmit and/or receive data wirelessly with another device. These components may include wireless technologies such as Bluetooth Radio (IEEE 802.15) or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11). IEEE is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional organization dedicated to creating electronic standards. Transmit transducer 208 is integrated into circular ring 104 of cap 102 and receive transducer 204 is integrated into center cap region 105. Transducers 208 and 204 may comprise any ultrasound components known in the field such as a speaker and a microphone. Printed circuit board 200 is powered by battery unit 201, which is also embedded within cap 102. Battery unit 201 may be any type of battery known in the field.

The components of printed circuit board 200 track in real-time the user consumption of fluid stored within bottle 100. Memory unit 202 contains programs and/or algorithmic instructions for microprocessor 205 to generate and analyze fluid consumption data of the user. In certain embodiments of the invention, bottle 100 may be filled with any fluid that is to be consumed by the user. Sensor 106 of cap 102 notifies microprocessor 205 when cap 102 is secured to bottle 100. This enables Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems 206, which detects the motion and orientation of cap 102 in relation to bottle 100. As such, MEMS 206 may generate data pertaining to the user's interaction with bottle 100, e.g., the user tilts the bottle to consume the fluid, the bottle is placed on its side or has been dropped, etc. Microprocessor 205 receives the motion and orientation data from MEMS 206 and determines whether bottle 100 is oriented in a position that allows for an accurate measurement of the volume of fluid remaining in the bottle.

Ultrasound technology is used to determine the fluid level in bottle 100. The oscillating sound waves used typically have a frequency of 40 KHz. When bottle 100 is properly oriented for a fluid measurement, such as in a substantially upright position, transducer (speaker) 208 transmits a short burst of sound waves toward the fluid contained within bottle 100. The transmitted sound waves contain 8 cycles. Transducer (microphone) 204 receives the echo of the sound waves. Analog Front End Unit 203 provides analog filtering, biasing and digitization of the sound waves and echo.

Microprocessor 205 receives data pertaining to the sound waves and echo. Using this data, microprocessor 205 calculates the volume of fluid remaining in bottle 100. In particular, the distance between the top surface of the fluid and transducer (speaker) 208 is calculated using the formula L=C×T/2, where L is the distance, C is the speed of sound in air (344 m/s at a room temperature of 20 degrees Celsius), and T is the time difference between the transmission of sound waves from transducer (speaker) 208 to transducer (microphone) 204. It shall be appreciated that microprocessor 205 may improve the accuracy of its calculations by taking into account factors such as the air density and air temperature in the bottle.

From the known dimensions of bottle 100 and the value of L, microprocessor 205 calculates the volume of fluid remaining in bottle 100. It shall be appreciated that cap 102 continually monitors the fluid level in bottle 100 such that the user's water consumption from the bottle is tracked in real-time. Microprocessor 205 generates fluid consumption data, which may include, but is not limited to, amount or volume of fluid consumed, timestamp of when fluid is consumed, rate of fluid consumption, timestamp for all of the bottle's movements, and unique identification code 109. The fluid consumption data may be stored in memory unit 202.

FIG. 3 depicts a system-level network diagram of certain embodiments of the invention. Cap 102 of bottle 100 may communicate with mobile device 302 via wireless link 303. Mobile device 302 may be, but is not limited to, a smart phone, tablet, PDA, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, cap 102 may communicate with relay device 310 via wireless link 303. Relay device 310 has plug 309 to connect to a power source. Relay device 310 may contain any components known in the field to enable wireless communications with another device to transfer and/or receive data over a network. Mobile device 302 and relay device 310 are configured to communicate with cloud computer 300 via wireless or wired internet protocols 311. Cloud computer 300 is configured to communicate with party of interest computer 313 via internet protocol 311. It shall be appreciated that party of interest computer 313 may be any type of computing device known in the field such as a desktop computer, laptop, mobile device, tablet, or the like.

In operation, a user fills bottle 100 with any fluid to be consumed. Cap 102 is secured to the top of bottle 100. The user consumes the fluid stored in bottle 100 through aperture 103 in cap 102. As described above, microprocessor 205 generates fluid consumption data pertaining to the user. RF system 207 transmits the fluid consumption data to either mobile device 302 or relay device 310 via wireless link 303. Mobile device 302 or relay device 310 transmits the fluid consumption data to cloud computer 300 via internet protocols 311. Cloud computer 300 stores the fluid consumption data and corresponding unique identification code 109 in a database (not shown).

Cloud computer 300 will constantly match the fluid consumption data with the user's corresponding file in the database. The party of interest, such as the user, care-givers, nurses, doctors or family members, can use computer 313 and a web browser and/or mobile device application to access the user's file stored on cloud computer 300. As such, any party of interest can access the user's fluid consumption data.

In one embodiment of the invention, cloud computer 300 generates reports, notifications and/or alerts (e.g. SMS or email) to persons of interest based on the user's fluid consumption and any known fluid consumption requirements. In addition, cloud computer 300 may provide visual alerts to the user by activating light-emitting diode 209 on cap 102 if the computer or a party of interest determines the user is not complying with a predetermined fluid consumption requirement. Light-emitting diode 209 may also indicate when the fluid level in bottle 100 is low or when it is time for the user to consume the fluid.

It shall be appreciated that the components of the system described in several embodiments herein may comprise alternative materials known in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of the system described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for tracking fluid consumption of a user from a fluid container in real-time, the system configured to generate and transmit data pertaining to the fluid consumption to a network so the data will be readily accessible to at least one party of interest, the system comprising: a cap configured to be operably connected to the fluid container, the cap comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system configured to detect motion and orientation of the cap in relation to the fluid container, a first transducer configured to transmit sound waves toward the fluid stored within the container, a second transducer configured to receive the echo of the sound waves, a computing device configured to generate the data pertaining to the fluid consumption of the user based on information from the micro-electro-mechanical system and the transducers, and a communication system configured to transmit the fluid consumption data to a cloud computer via the network to permit the at least one party of interest to have ready access to the fluid consumption data through the cloud computer.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a battery.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the cap further comprises a light-emitting diode configured to provide the user an alert pertaining to the fluid consumption data.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cap further comprises an analog front end unit configured to provide analog filtering, biasing and digitization of the sound waves.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cap further comprises a sensor configured to determine whether the cap is secured to the fluid container.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the fluid consumption data comprises a unique identification number associated with the fluid container.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the communication system of the cap transmits the fluid consumption data to the cloud computer via a mobile device or a relay device.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the communication system is configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device or the relay device.
 9. The system of claim 7, further comprising at least one party of interest computing device operably connected to the cloud computer via the network to enable the at least one party of interest to access the fluid consumption data.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the cloud computer is configured to generate usage reports, notifications and alerts based on the fluid consumption data. 